EARLHAM HAS NEW COACH

RICHMOND, Ind. — Earlham College Athletics Director Mike Bergum announced on Fridaythat Jason Polykoff has been named the next men's basketball head coach for theQuakers.

"Jason's experience at a number of levels gives us confidence that he is awell-rounded coach and understands what it is going to take to become successful,"Bergum said. "It is exciting to have Jason at the helm. He will be an integral partof the campus community and be valuable in building relationships with students."

Polykoff comes to Earlham after two seasons as an assistant at the University ofPennsylvania of the Ivy League, and five years as head coach of the Friends CentralSchool, a secondary school near Philadelphia.

"I am extremely excited," Polykoff said. "The position at Earlham is one that can besuccessful. I'm really excited about getting starting and promoting Earlham andbasketball."

Earlham President David Dawson was pleased about having Polykoff take over the men'sbasketball program.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Jason Polykoff to Earlham," Dawson said. "From his deepcommitment to the fundamentals of team-building, to his skills as a recruiter andcoach, Jason has what it takes to lead our men's basketball team forward to everhigher levels of competition."

"Jason is also an educator with a strong character and sense of mission," Dawsoncontinued. "I know he'll have a large and positive impact on the lives and futuresof Earlham student-athletes."

Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kevin Klose, who is theConvener of the Athletic Advisory Committee, was captivated by Polykoff.

"Jason really impressed the committee with his intelligence, enthusiasm andfamiliarity with Earlham," Klose said. "He's a quality guy, who is a proven winner.We are delighted that he has chosen to join the Earlham coaching staff."

Earlham Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator Kaitlin Leach, whoserved as the Convener of the search committee, was also impressed.

"After a thorough search process, we are thrilled to have Jason join the Earlhamcommunity," Leach said. "I feel Jason is an ideal fit for Earlham Athletics. Hebrings a strong track record of success on the court, in the classroom and in thecommunity. After learning about his playing and coaching experience at both thecollegiate and high school level, I am confident Jason can rebuild our men'sbasketball program."

Prior to his Division I experience at Penn, in the five years Polykoff spent as headcoach at Friends Central School, he won four straight Pennsylvania IndependentSchools state titles from 2009-12. He posted a 113-28 record with the program.

"All of my experiences together with coaching high school and collegestudent-athletes have prepared me for this position," Polykoff said. "The last twoyears at Penn and getting the opportunity to coach elite athletes at the Division Ilevel and recruit on a national level are experiences that are invaluable."

"The last two years have prepared me more than anything for this position atEarlham," Polykoff continued. "I know what it takes to be successful and remainsuccessful."

The 30-year old Polykoff graduated from Haverford College in 2006 with a degree inpsychology with a minor in educational studies.

During his playing career at Haverford, Polykoff was the team captain as a seniorand he finished in the top 10 in six different categories in the school's recordbook. After his final season, he was named Haverford's Most Valuable Player andselected as a Philadelphia Area Small College All-Star. Polykoff will also behonored later this spring with the Haverford College Young Alumni Award forAccomplishments in Leadership.

A native of Havertown, Pa., Polykoff is a 2002 graduate of Friends Central School,the same institution where he would later coach.